Mattia Caldara retires and regrets his Juventus decision

Mattia Caldara has retired from professional football at 31, bringing an end to a career that promised much in its early stages but ultimately left him with a sense of regret. The defender has spoken openly about his disappointment at never playing for Juventus and leaving the club before giving himself the chance to grow within the environment he now views as ideal for his development. His reflections offer a thoughtful and sincere account of a player who recognises the importance of patience and mental strength in elite sport.

Juventus signed him from Atalanta in 2018 and decided he would spend the following season on loan with La Dea, a move designed to help him mature further while playing regularly in a familiar setting. When he eventually returned to the Allianz Stadium, however, he found himself facing stiff competition for game time. Several established defenders were ahead of him in the pecking order, and breaking into such a group required patience and resilience. Caldara has since admitted that he lacked both at the time, a realisation that has shaped his understanding of what went wrong in his career.

Caldara’s Departure and Its Consequences

Feeling uncertain about his prospects at Juventus, he chose not to wait for an opportunity to arise. AC Milan approached him, and he decided to join them, convinced that his chances of playing regularly would be greater. Unfortunately, the move did not unfold as he expected. Between 2018 and 2024, he would make only one league appearance for AC Milan. Over time, it became clear that the grass was not greener on the other side, and the decision to leave Juventus had come at a significant cost to his career trajectory.

His reflections are candid and filled with a sense of what might have been. As reported by Il Bianconero, he said, “Many teams were interested in me in those months. In December, I was signed by Juventus. And at that time, Juventus was a unique entity, unapproachable. However, I never played for Juventus. I stayed on loan in Bergamo, and that was the right thing to do. I wasn’t ready for that kind of move yet. I then arrived in Turin in 2018, but I didn’t stay. I was coming off seasons where I was used to playing, and there I had Chiellini, Bonucci, and Barzagli in front of me. ‘Be patient, Mattia. Stay here,’ Giorgio kept telling me. But I knew I wouldn’t find a place. I stayed for a few weeks, just for the summer retreat. When I heard about Milan’s interest, I accepted.”